Officer Response Turns Nasty, Woman Claims

BALTIMORE (CN) – A woman who called for help claims Baltimore police beat her in front of her kids after she told a male officer to leave the room while she undressed and went to the bathroom, the alleged victim claims in Baltimore County Court.

Maryanne Troia says she called police for help with an altercation involving her sister. When police arrived at her sister’s house, they allegedly told Troia to pack up and leave. Troia, who was wearing satin pajama pants and a see-through shirt, says she asked them if she could first change. She claims Officer Walter Merryman followed her into the bathroom and “insisted on watching her undress,” even though a female officer was on the scene. Merryman also refused to leave while she urinated, Troia claims. “Confused and scared, Ms. Troia stated, ‘You actually want to watch me pee? Get out of the bathroom,” the lawsuit states. Merryman allegedly said, “I’m sick of you,” and “threw her into the sink, then threw her into the wall, and then threw her to the ground,” causing her to chip a tooth. Other officers joined the fray, Troia claims, and “continued to kick and stomp on Ms. Troia’s thighs, arms, neck, elbow, wrists, shoulders, ankle, and her already disabled knees and back.” She says her children cried as they watched the officers brutalize their mother. Troia was taken to the police department, where officers repeatedly stated they were “not required to read any rights,” and Troia didn’t need an attorney, according to the lawsuit. Officers allegedly told her she “watch[ed] too much television,” and she “wouldn’t be in here if you weren’t an alcoholic and a drug addict!” She says they also threatened to place her children in foster care, and falsely charged her with criminal trespass and resisting arrest. She demands $4 million for alleged assault, battery, false arrest and malicious prosecution. Her attorney is Jason Ostendorf.